Registration Opens for Johnny Depp’s “The People’s Artist” Competition Supporting The Art of Elysium
ENTERTAINMENT
Johnny Depp presents The People's Artist.
Colossal, the nation's leading professional fundraiser for purpose-driven online competitions, has opened registration for The People's Artist Competition presented by Johnny Depp. The national call invites artists 18 and over across North America to share their craft while raising money for The Art of Elysium.
The competition offers artists working across every platform, including music, painting, acting, photography, fashion, poetry, illustration, and pottery, the opportunity to win $25,000, appear in Artforum Magazine, and display their work at a showcase in The Art of Elysium's Salon in Los Angeles.
A Celebration of Creative Vision
"There is a strange kind of magic in the way that artists see the world," said Johnny Depp, who presents the competition. "Art doesn't confine itself to neat little boxes, and nor should the creator. Art is everywhere in it, always. This competition is about supporting that creative vision and talent."
The fundraising campaign gives artists visibility while expanding access to creativity for communities facing emotional and social challenges. By celebrating authenticity and bringing communities together, the initiative connects artistic expression with meaningful charitable impact.
The Art of Elysium's Mission
At The Art of Elysium, creativity serves as connection. Since 1997, the organization has empowered artists and communities through programs designed to bring creativity to individuals navigating illness, isolation, and emotional hardship. By pairing volunteer artists with individuals in need, the organization creates moments of connection during difficult life challenges like illness, hospitalization, displacement, and crisis.
"In Greek mythology, Elysium is the inner sanctum of heaven, the place where heroes go to sit at the foot of the divine," said Jennifer Howell, CEO and Founder of The Art of Elysium. "I have always believed that artists are the ones who dip into that same mysterious realm and return with gifts for the rest of us: songs, poetry, paintings, films."
Howell explained that The Art of Elysium was built around the belief that creativity has the power to transform suffering into something transcendent. The organization's community of artists brings their work directly into children's hospitals, elder care facilities, and communities facing difficult circumstances, offering connection, imagination, and hope.
How the Competition Works
Artists across all disciplines can enter by sharing their profiles with the public. Friends, family, supporters, and fans help decide the outcome through online voting. This approach democratizes the selection process while building community engagement around the arts.
The competition winner receives $25,000 and joins the creative world of The Art of Elysium in a showcase at the Art Salon in Los Angeles. This gathering place celebrates self-expression and builds community among artists, supporters, and cultural leaders.
The winner will also appear in Artforum Magazine, the definitive publication on modern and contemporary art since 1962. For generations, this iconic publication has spotlighted innovators whose work shapes museums, institutions, collectors, and cultural conversations worldwide.
Supporting Creative Communities
"Creatives remind us what it means to feel, connect, and see the world in new ways," said Mary Hagen, CEO of Colossal. "Through The People's Artist, we want to create space for visionaries to step forward and share their work, loud and proud. We're beyond thrilled to partner with The Art of Elysium to help ensure those creative voices get the visibility they deserve and to make a big impact."
The competition serves as a fundraising campaign for AIT, a United States 501(c)(3) public charity organization, which will grant donation funds to The Art of Elysium at the completion of the competition. Since 2022, Colossal has raised over $207 million to support charities.
Artists interested in participating can learn more and register at peoplesartist.org/register. Detailed competition information is available on the Rules, Terms, and Privacy pages located at the bottom of the competition website and on The Art of Elysium's FAQ page.